New Zealand captain Sam Cane will retire from Test rugby at the end of 2024, calling time on a Rugby World Cup winning 12-year career.
New Zealand captain Sam Cane will retire from Test rugby at the end of 2024, the side said on Monday, calling time on a World Cup winning 12-year international career.
“The 32-year-old has chosen to focus on spending more time with family and sign a long-term contract with Suntory Goliath in Tokyo,” according to a statement released by New Zealand Rugby. “Having played 95 Tests, 27 as captain,” the statement read.It is not entirely unexpected that he is retiring.
Since South Africa defeated the All Blacks in the Rugby World Cup final last year, the team has not played, and Cane had already taken a leave of absence to Japan.
Cane stated that the opportunity to sign a three-year contract with the affluent Tokyo club was too good to refuse.
“I had to weigh everything and, in the end, with a young family, it seemed like the best decision to help set up our future,” said Sam Cane, the 2015 Rugby World Cup winner.
“It was a very hard one because I love the teams that I represent here in New Zealand.”
Sam Cane won the World Cup with New Zealand in 2015 and has twice been part of Super Rugby championship-winning sides with the Chiefs.
However, he did not always have an easy time leading the All Blacks after replacing Kieran Read as captain in 2020.
Cane had moments of poor form and was substituted in the 28th minute in the Rugby World Cup final the previous year.
There had been calls for his dismissal due to the threat posed by players like Ardie Savea and Dalton Papalii.
NEW COACH SCOTT ROBERTSON OF ALL BLACKS
In 2022, New Zealand lost its first Test series at home to Ireland, and a few weeks later, they were shocked to lose to Argentina in Christchurch. These events occurred under his term.
“I truly appreciate the opportunity I got to wear the captain’s armband. It was an enormous honor and privilege.
Recently arrived All Blacks coach Scott Robertson said the pair had discussed Cane’s decision to take up the new contract in Japan “at length”.
“I support him and completely understand the reasons behind his decision,” Robertson declared.
“Being captain demands more of you physically and mentally because of the demanding nature of the post.
That makes what he’s accomplished over such a long time so amazing. I appreciate him using this chance very much.
After the current Japanese club season concludes, Sam Cane will return to New Zealand and be available for selection for the All Blacks for the remainder of 2024, although he will not be captain.
Cane remarked, “It’s part of the natural process that happens in rugby.”
“It was an enormous honor and privilege to serve as captain during my tenure.”
Agence Garrin Lambley
